Luis Atilano was 6 the first time Ivan Rodriguez squatted behind the plate in a big-league game. It would be a few more years before Atilano became a Pudge fan, but like every other kid growing up in Puerto Rico, it was bound to happen.

Flash-forward 19 years and 1,500 miles north, where on a gorgeous April evening in the District, Atilano made his major-league debut with none other than Rodriguez as his batterymate. That the right-hander, stuck in the minor leagues for the last seven years, tossed six innings of one-run ball to lead the Nationals to a 5-1 victory over the Dodgers only added to the moment.

"It's crazy. It's been my dreams," Atilano said. "After seven years, I made it finally. I pitched to Pudge Rodriguez, hopefully a Hall of Famer. I can't ask for nothing better than that."

The Nats couldn't have asked for anything better out of a rookie pitcher making his debut against the majors' best-hitting club. Even without Manny Ramirez — who was placed on the DL today with a strained calf — the Dodgers boasted a formidable lineup that has averaged more than six runs per game this season.

So when Atilano carved this way through Los Angeles' batters with ease, scattering five hits over six innings, it felt like a shot in the arm for a Nationals team desperately seeking some consistency fromRead more »

I love games like today, with stories like this. Congratulations to Luis, who also made a bunch of strangers happy today because we were able to see his dream come true. Same thing five days from now, please.

Fabulous game from Atilano. I loved the way he actually barely missed Pudge's target at all. Superb control from a rookie. This could easily have been a shutout if not for some sloppy fielding from Morgan.Now compare this game to what would have been a start from Marquis. Day and night difference. Perhaps a message is being sent throughout the organization that you can not come up here and gut out an injury if it costs your team. I do look forward to the return of a HEALTHY Marquis, Mock, Detwiler, Wang, Zimmermann and Zimmerman. Amazingly we are actually deep enough now to get by without these players being in the lineup. That alone shows progress.

Even if he was nervous on the first pitch, he threw a strike. I liked Atilano's poise and his tendency to get ahead in the count. They didn't give him the strikeout ball as well?Nice to see Dunn's dingers, too (and the Elvis wig, natch).

What I liked:1) Throwing Strikes and getting ahead of batters from the get go…not being scared.2) Battling at the Plate – he fouled off a number of pitches and even when he struck out on breaker in dirt, he ran to first rather than get tagged out.3) Keeping his head in the game despite that ugly play by Nyjer on Belliards pop up double. He didn't have a melt down as we have seen with other pitchers in similar situations last year.4) Hustling to cover first on ground out to Dunn (who by the way, is really playing more than adequate first base so far)…..he took off like a bullet and was there in time. Just needs to work on finding the bag with his foot….although, watching from TV, it looked as if his foot was touching side of bag.5) Coming to Nat's rotation out of the blue and allowing me to imagine he could actually be a serviceable starter this year, right now, without having to depend on the wounded wings in syracuse.6) Recognizing the moment and being genuine and emotional in his post game responses. More simply – Authentic.Let's hope he repeats this feat again and again this year.

What impressed me the most about this kid was the nasty tailing, sinking movement of his two seamer! He just threw it to the middle of the plate and let the movement do the work. He made terrific hitters look like minor leaguers. Let's hope he can do this on a consistent basis and he can adapt when the rest of MLB inevitably adapts to him.I'm genuinely excited about the Nats future. This is great!

I liked seeing a talented young pitcher trust an experienced catcher and not over think anything. Just trust his own stuff and let Pudge read the batters. It was nice to see Dunn do what he is supposed to do, but I have been happy with watching his improving defense.

I wonder if Pudge did his best Crash Davis impression during the pre-game meeting with Atilano: "Don't think. It can only hurt the ball club." Way to just trust your gut and your catcher, kid. Welcome to the Show!

It's hard not to want to taunt the critics of the Ivan ROdriguez signing when you read things like this. For six million over two years getting a leader who so many others want to play with and who to date has hit better than most believed he could. Even if his hitting regresses to norm, that was a good signing. It's not just PR, other players really do seem to want to play with him, be mentored by him, and respect him.Great moment for Atliano in particular.

"countrymate"? Paesani or relatives (on a small island dotted with many small villages that is certainly always a possibility. Sounds good to me.Amazing game for Atilano. Desperately needed in the aftermath of the disappointment over Marquis. Let's hope Livan's tutelage continues this afternoon with Stammen.